In both the study and practice of leadership, there are common leadership principles, or tools if you will, that apply to leaders and aspiring leaders at all levels and across all walks of life, and they are not difficult concepts to grasp or put into practice, but really common sense. They apply just as much to the shift supervisor at a fast food restaurant as they do to the chief executive officer of a multi-billion-dollar company. The captain of a high school football team or the head coach of a NBA franchise can use these same tools, just as a captain flight commander or company commander or the commanding general of a warfighting command could use them. The lessons in this book have the potential to inspire and motivate local city councilmen or councilwomen, or even elected federal officials in any nation throughout the world. That is what this book is about—leadership lessons and tools that any inspired individual can use to become a leader, or become a better leader.

Thomas Finneran attended the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, graduating in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree and a commission as a second lieutenant in the US Air Force. He successfully completed navigator training in November 1995, and his flying experiences include time as a navigator in airdrop and special operations missions in the C-141B; as an instructor at the navigator schoolhouse in the T-43; and five years as an electronic warfare officer in the RC-135.

His staff experience includes serving as an executive officer for a general officer wing commander; training program manager in the Directorate of Operations at HQ Air Education and Training Command (AETC); member of the AETC commander’s action group and director of executive services; and speechwriter for the AETC commander.

Tom’s significant leadership experience includes two years as squadron director of operations (DO) and two years as squadron commander for the 95th Reconnaissance Squadron at RAF Mildenhall, England. He is currently serving as the deputy chief of the Combat Plans Division at NATO Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) Uedem, Germany, and the deputy US senior national representative for 30 American positions.

In addition to his peacetime leadership positions, Tom also led in combat and combat support roles as DO for the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan from Al Udeid Air Base in the Middle East, and commander of the 95th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron deployed to British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia in support of US Africa Command intelligence collection missions. He also deployed to the NATO CAOC in Poggio Renatico, Italy, as an air tasking order (ATO) coordinator during Operation Unified Protector, the NATO-led operations in Libya.

Tom has been married to his amazing wife, Ashley, for 16 wonderful years, and they are the proud parents of Eliza (15) and William (13).